Best base locations in Subnautica 2
Build your first base beside the Lifepod, choose Old Habitat or the northeast CICADA wreck for a mining outpost, and establish a second supply base near the Alien Ruins Research Station when the story takes you across the gorge. The useful location changes with your next objective: a base should shorten trips and provide dependable power, oxygen and storage.
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Compare the four practical choices
| Location | Best use | Advantage | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beside the Lifepod | First base | Existing supplies, NOA, Fabricator and a nearby surface refuge. | Longer journeys once you start working in the eastern regions. |
| Old Habitat, north of the Lifepod | General mineral collection | Nearby cave deposits of Copper, Silver and Titanium. | Hostile fish around the open approach; inspect the cave route first. |
| CICADA Wreck (Lander Garage), northeast | Lead and construction materials | Lead, Quartz and Copper around the wreck; nearby current. | Murky surroundings and wreck geometry need a clear vehicle approach. |
| Alien Ruins Research Station area | Midgame supply base | Short trips to the station and regional upgrade objectives. | More demanding initial crossing; bring essential building materials. |
First base: stay close to the Lifepod
Use a small powered shell next to or beneath the Lifepod while you unlock facilities. You can use the pod's existing equipment during construction, and it remains an easy place to return for air if your new base loses power. Start with a Hatch, a workable power supply and storage; expand when you have a specific need.
Solar power is convenient in shallow water, but production depends on daylight. Check stored energy and demand before relying on it overnight. PC Gamer's route describes a strong current roughly 60 metres east of the Lifepod, useful to inspect after unlocking the Hydroelectric Turbine. Confirm the actual turbine output and connection at the location you choose.
Mining outpost: Old Habitat or the northeast wreck
Old Habitat: head north from the Lifepod toward the ruined habitat and large rock structures with huge jellylike creatures draped over them. The public guide places the area roughly 300 metres away. Explore the caves beneath the rocks for Copper, Silver and Titanium before committing to construction. Select an entrance you can find again when returning with a full inventory.
CICADA Wreck (Lander Garage): the large wreck roughly 400 metres northeast of the Lifepod suits repeated lead trips. Quartz and Copper add value to each collection loop. Inspect the natural current beside the wreck for turbine placement, then leave room between your base, vehicle and wreck obstacles.
Use a small outpost if the main reason for visiting is one mineral. Storage and a dependable air stop can solve that problem without moving every facility out of your first base. Gather a sample load, time the return in practice and build where the travel saving is worthwhile.
Midgame base: near the Alien Ruins Research Station
After the Tadpole Pens, crossing the gorge repeatedly becomes costly. Bring building supplies on the first prepared journey, restore the Research Station's power, then make a local outpost. The Alien Ruins route covers the bedroom battery socket, NOA and Modification Station unlock.
Scout power before choosing the final footprint. Public guides differ on how readily useful currents can be found in this region, so inspect the intended turbine position and check generation rather than assuming every visible flow will work. If the spot cannot support your chosen generator, move the outpost or bring another power option.
Check a site before spending the full materials budget
- Approach from your normal travel direction and identify an unobstructed route to the entrance.
- Inspect the power source: daylight for solar, a working natural current for a turbine, or heat for thermal generation.
- Build the smallest usable shell and connect power. Check its actual power and oxygen state.
- Place storage and the facilities needed for the next trip, then test your vehicle approach.
- Expand only after the supply loop works. Keep your old base available until the new one can support your routine.
Hot-zone mineral stops can be useful, but you do not need to move your whole base into the caves to collect gold, sulfur or lithium. Keep the longer story route in mind before spending a large construction budget there.
References and next steps
Landmark approaches follow PC Gamer's base location guide and Alien Ruins guide. Use our base building walkthrough for construction and the power calculator to compare your planned facilities.